Kildare man steals laundry detergent, court hears
Photo for illustrative purposes only
A JUDGE brought a ripple of laughter to a court room when he accidently mistook a sanding-type power tool for a risqué dating app during a run-of-the-mill theft hearing.
The brief amusement occurred during the case of Robert Patchell (46) of Corbally Court, Naas, who was well known to the judge.
“I haven’t seen Robert in a few years,” commented Judge Desmond Zaidan to defending solicitor Tim Kennelly when the registrar called the case.
“He’s doing well, he’s still in Naas,” replied Mr Kennelly.
“Is he still seeing his kids?” asked the judge.
“Yes, judge, they’re staying with his wife,” revealed Mr Kennelly.
Mr Patchell was in court to face two charges of shoplifting from his local Aldi store, in which he took €24 worth of laundry pods, and two power tools on 12 April last.
“€24 for four laundry capsules? To wash his clothes?” asked the judge.
Then Sergeant Dave Hanrahan listed the power tools as a jig-saw and a grinder, worth €53, taken the same day.
“Grindr? Is that the dating app?” asked the judge, which brought the collective chuckle to the room.
“It’s amazing the things you learn from your years on the bench," he added with a smile.
After a quick clarification, Sgt Hanrahan got back to the matters at hand and as Mr Patchell was pleading guilty, the sergeant was able to inform the court that Mr Patchell had 44 previous convictions.
“And before these (charges)?” asked the judge.
“Our last conversation was on 9 February, 2023,” said Sgt Hanrahan.
“Alright. Section 1(i) (of the Probation Act) on both,” decreed the judge.
“I’ll give him a chance,” he concluded, thus allowing Mr Patchell to walk from court without any addition to his previous 44.
